The Wardrobe Check Up

I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again. I’m super lazy. In weird ways obviously – working a 9 – 5 and running Hello October along with all the other lovely aspects of my life isn’t really lazy – but when it comes to getting ready in the morning I want to be up and out the door in half an hour, not experiencing regular morning wardrobe malfunctions or meltdowns.

So one thing I like to do at the start (and end) of every other season is sit down and give my wardrobe a good old check up. Think of it as a little bit like a big monthly shop – but only twice a year. Sometimes it will come up with a solid A-, only needing a few tweaks here and there and then for the next 6 months i’ll pick up more “on trend” pieces every so often. But sometimes *cough* this year, there are a few things that need replacing, repairing and even re-homing…

“Here Miss!”: To start of with I carry out a register, of sorts, and make sure no-ones gone AWOL (Leigh Jeans, I’m lookin’ at you). If they have, were they essential? Black Leigh Jeans? Yes – note it down.

“Holey Moley!”: So your basics are all there. Great. Given the once over I’m bound to find a few holes in my most worn items (mainly the cheaper ones). I pop these in a pile ready to be stitched up – far more purse friendly than going out and buying new ones un-necessarily. For shoes – it’s off to shove heaven if they have holes and replacements must be on the cards.

“The Perfect Fit?”: With oversized clothing dominating my wardrobe this is very rarely an issue, but some of my wardrobe essentials might need purchasing in a size down (or up), depending on what my diets been like for the past 6 months. I’ve improved my diet since a lot of my wardrobe staples were purchased and now items like my leather jacket, high waisted shorts and jeans just don’t fit right anymore. This month I’m going to be going back to basics and repurchasing some of my favourite things in the right fit for my frame.

“Colour Cravings”: I have a few wardrobe favourites – Jersey tee’s and slouchy knits that I can’t live without, but that need updating a little in colour. I’ll be noting them down and keeping an eye out for similar cuts (or the same product) in various colours. Basics from Topshop, Zara and H&M are fairly consistent and each season make a comeback in several new shades. This gives a seasonal update to old favourites. But remember – only pick up the colours that suit you. Not the entire collection – for example there’s no way I’m re-purchasing my favourite slouchy knit in purple (EVER) – no way José.

“What Where You Thinking!?”: It happens to the best of us. There are just some impulse purchases that you know in your heart don’t suit you and that you will just never wear. In these cases, I like to keep friends in mind, and tailor my offerings to suit their tastes. It means they’re more likely to wear it than throw it away and they get to feel like they’ve been shopping, even before you drag them round to hunt down your new season staples. If your style is so unique that no one else will wear it, then it’s either off to the charity shop or ebay. I’m lazy so the charity bag is so much more convenient than selling, and I feel like I’m helping a good cause too.

Once that’s sorted, all that’s left for me to do is trawl ASOS for statement pieces *drools*…

I just did a wardrobe check up, made a small donate pile and then looked for missing pieces. And I "sadly" noticed I really got everything I wanted for this season. I say sadly as that means that I won't be justifying a small trip to ZARA or ASOS.. arghs. But at least I love everything in my wardrobe now 🙂 Lots of loveJulie

This is really nice. I just went through all of my stuff, which is easy, cuz there isn't a lot, but that's also a problem, it's like the joke of opening your fridge every 5 min in hopes that something new and delicious has appeared 😀

I do the same thing every so often. I just did a large wardrobe sorting and got rid of a lot of things. Now I just need to get round to actually buying replacements and missing staples. You would think that is the fun part but for some reason I always struggle to actually go out and do it.

I can completely relate to this post, recently I've been looking for ways of cutting down how much I spend on clothes (I'm a bit of a shopaholic) and I've been trying to manage my wardrobe but I definitely need to go thought it properly, I have a wardrobe meltdown nearly everyday because I've just got too much stuff that I don't even wear!

I can completely relate to this post, recently I've been looking for ways of cutting down how much I spend on clothes (I'm a bit of a shopaholic) and I've been trying to manage my wardrobe but I definitely need to go thought it properly, I have a wardrobe meltdown nearly everyday because I've just got too much stuff that I don't even wear!

Ah I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this.I've changed sizes and shape recently so doing this wardrobe update has given me some room to shop and buy some more key staples I can wear all day everyday. As i'm also a lazy person when it comes to clothing. I love simplistic outfits which have edge but still are on trend. Love all of the clothes you pictured in this post,my sort of style Suzie!

YES. I do this regularly. I dump stuff on eBay and give a ton to charity. I find I tend to forget I ever had certain dresses and "rediscover" them lurking at the bottom of my wardrobe. Clearing everything out once in a while makes you realise maybe you don't need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe.

I'm just about to finish university and so I'm working on the last couple of steps to update the quality of my wardrobe from student budget to work and working class appropriate. Thanks for the inspiration.